Bananas ! Better than Sports Drinks?
05-30-12, 07:45 AM
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Bananas ! Better than Sports Drinks?
It appears that Bananas are better than sports drinks
Bananas have long been a favorite source of energy for endurance and recreational athletes. Bananas are a rich source of potassium and other nutrients, and are easy for cyclists, runners or hikers to carry.
https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1...79d0ba024f8791
Bananas have long been a favorite source of energy for endurance and recreational athletes. Bananas are a rich source of potassium and other nutrients, and are easy for cyclists, runners or hikers to carry.
https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1...79d0ba024f8791
05-30-12, 07:52 AM
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I quit drinking sports drinks (except on rare occasions) about 18 months ago.
Instead I eat food for most of my ride nutrition, and I will pick up a coke or something on rest stops.
If you want even more potassium than bananas, go with dried apricots and potatoes.
Instead I eat food for most of my ride nutrition, and I will pick up a coke or something on rest stops.
If you want even more potassium than bananas, go with dried apricots and potatoes.
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05-30-12, 03:19 PM
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Bananas are God's gift to cyclists.
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05-30-12, 03:50 PM
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of course real food is better
something else that is dirt cheap - morton;s lite salt, it is half potassium chloride
very cheap and easy to make own sports drink , with sugar or no sugar, you decide
potassium being the 'hard electrolyte' to find a source for
gatorade etc actually doesn;t have much potassium
something natural that is full of it, though, is OJ, orange juice
wle
something else that is dirt cheap - morton;s lite salt, it is half potassium chloride
very cheap and easy to make own sports drink , with sugar or no sugar, you decide
potassium being the 'hard electrolyte' to find a source for
gatorade etc actually doesn;t have much potassium
something natural that is full of it, though, is OJ, orange juice
wle
05-30-12, 04:29 PM
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I'm not sure they can grow to many bananas for me.
05-30-12, 04:35 PM
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Sports drinks are way over-rated and way over-priced!
Water works just fine.
Bananas even come in their own bio-degradeable container!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
Water works just fine.
Bananas even come in their own bio-degradeable container!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
05-30-12, 06:16 PM
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During the summer riding season, I try to do at least one and maybe two centuries. They usually involve heading to the Lake Placid area as its 40 miles from where I live, has some decent climbs so I can feel good about doing it etc. There are lots of cycling/triathlon events around Lake Placid. When I ride those roads I feel as though I'm following a pack of Gorillas. Banana peels everywhere. They must be on to something.
05-30-12, 06:26 PM
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Another thought on bananas:
The three pockets on the back of road jerseys can hold a bunch.
The three pockets on the back of road jerseys can hold a bunch.
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05-30-12, 06:57 PM
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I recently discovered my roommate has a blender, and have been making a steady use of it. Why buy juices if you can take ANY fruit and make it fresh, mix and matching your ingredients to boot. And making a smoothie will cost you like 50 cents, compared to $3 at places like JambaJuice.
And best part, there's like no cleanup involved either; just put some water with detergent, "blend" and whabam, its clean.
And best part, there's like no cleanup involved either; just put some water with detergent, "blend" and whabam, its clean.
05-31-12, 07:41 AM
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I love bananas but for some reason they do nothing for me when riding. I've eaten as many as 3 bananas on a short (< 25 mi.) ride and still end up being hungry and have a lack of energy.
05-31-12, 10:35 AM
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DEK - one thing that I noticed does wonders for my energy is apples. If I eat an apple some 10mins before getting on my bike, I tend to have crazy level of energy. It does ween off after about 45-60mins though.
05-31-12, 11:30 AM
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Banana's are a must for any of my rides over 20 miles. I'll also use apples or mangos(work very well) but the banana's rule. I have one with either of the Vitamin Waters that have caffeine (energy/attention). I'm not sure which category of drink these are but they are not sports drinks like Gatorade.
I have this combo right before the ride. Prior to the first pedal stroke I'll also take a quick poke of water.
I have this combo right before the ride. Prior to the first pedal stroke I'll also take a quick poke of water.
05-31-12, 04:34 PM
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What many people do not realize is that the proper way to eat a banana is from the bottom up. Tearing open a banana from the stem end is difficult and you can bruise the banana. But ripping it open from the bottom end is much easier. Try it.
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05-31-12, 08:48 PM
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Bananas are great, but they don't last long on a ride. Apples have potassium as well, and are much easier to eat one-handed.
06-02-12, 12:54 PM
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I usually have a nana or two sticking out of my jersey pockets and I prefer real food. Where the "sports drinks" come into play is w/ increased intensity, heat, and distance when every calorie counts. With these factors and the desire/need to not stop sports drinks provide extra and in a very accessible form. Sometimes liquid is all one can handle and solids/real food just gum the mouth and are harder to stomach and digest. Each has its place...
06-02-12, 02:20 PM
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Sports drinks are for people who buy into that kind of marketing.
BTW, if you want long lasting energy for a bike ride, nothing beats peanut butter.
BTW, if you want long lasting energy for a bike ride, nothing beats peanut butter.
Last edited by ben4345; 06-02-12 at 02:26 PM.